July 2002
"Remember This and You Remember Me"
Well a few of you have noticed that I've been a little absent from my routine and I thought I might catch you up on the news. The first of Summer began with the realization that the web-site was not going to survive if it didn't start pulling its own weight. So I began to try and determine just what exactly I needed it to do. First it has to not only pay for itself but it has to turn a profit, second it has to promote my artwork and Gallery, third it needs to be user friendly. Well after almost four months and many hours of sleepless nights and endless days, I believe we have not only created a great web-site but maybe a work of art in itself. The www.chatullis.com site has two parts "The Trading Post" and "The Gallery" the Trading Post is for shopping and presently we have about 2000 items with many more to come; the Gallery is for the promotion of what's new and an introduction to the Gallery in Hominy Oklahoma and information about what's going on. The Gallery part is always under construction and will have a new look very soon. My favorite part of the www.chatullis.com is "Sharing the Journey" it's a way for me to talk about what's important to me and what's on my mind.
After I got started reworking the www.chatullis.com I went to work teaching for the University of Oklahoma (O.U.) intergenerational Elderhostel and I've truly had the time of my life with all of the people I've been involved with. From the O.U. staff to all the Grandparents and Grandchildren to the staff at the Roman Nose Lodge, these people are in my heart. Most of the students are from far away and don't have a clue who I am and it's a wonderful gift to me to be able to share my stories and lessons I've learned with people who are interested and hungry to learn. This program is also a great tool for Grandparents and Grandchildren to have one on one time to bond. Its also a good way for me to find an outlet for telling my stories to someone new and discovering the importance of trusting others to carry them into the next generation. Every time I start a new class I get a little stage fright until I look into their eyes and see a need to know. Its at that very moment that I recall my Grandmothers words when I was just a boy, she would show me something or tell me a story and then say "Remember this and you remember me".
On July 4th Teena and I along with all four of the kids went to Missouri to celebrate the 100th birthday of my Grandmother. We spent the day at my parents ranch where Grandmother has lived for the past year and we shared cake and stories of life. Grandmother is well and mostly spends her time looking at cards from family and friends, watching some TV, eating whatever she wants, watching television and sleeping. When it was time to come home I went to Grandmothers room to tell her goodbye, she had gone to take a nap and I was surprised to find her awake. She ask for a drink of water that I quickly fetched, I told her we were going home and she teased me about moving back home and we laughed a bit. Then in a calm like no other she spoke the most powerful words I've ever heard, my 100 year old Grandmother said "I love you". Grandmother has always been vocal with her love but it was different this time, it was as though she knew its all we really have to give and its all we really need! "Remember this and you remember me".
After I got started reworking the www.chatullis.com I went to work teaching for the University of Oklahoma (O.U.) intergenerational Elderhostel and I've truly had the time of my life with all of the people I've been involved with. From the O.U. staff to all the Grandparents and Grandchildren to the staff at the Roman Nose Lodge, these people are in my heart. Most of the students are from far away and don't have a clue who I am and it's a wonderful gift to me to be able to share my stories and lessons I've learned with people who are interested and hungry to learn. This program is also a great tool for Grandparents and Grandchildren to have one on one time to bond. Its also a good way for me to find an outlet for telling my stories to someone new and discovering the importance of trusting others to carry them into the next generation. Every time I start a new class I get a little stage fright until I look into their eyes and see a need to know. Its at that very moment that I recall my Grandmothers words when I was just a boy, she would show me something or tell me a story and then say "Remember this and you remember me".
On July 4th Teena and I along with all four of the kids went to Missouri to celebrate the 100th birthday of my Grandmother. We spent the day at my parents ranch where Grandmother has lived for the past year and we shared cake and stories of life. Grandmother is well and mostly spends her time looking at cards from family and friends, watching some TV, eating whatever she wants, watching television and sleeping. When it was time to come home I went to Grandmothers room to tell her goodbye, she had gone to take a nap and I was surprised to find her awake. She ask for a drink of water that I quickly fetched, I told her we were going home and she teased me about moving back home and we laughed a bit. Then in a calm like no other she spoke the most powerful words I've ever heard, my 100 year old Grandmother said "I love you". Grandmother has always been vocal with her love but it was different this time, it was as though she knew its all we really have to give and its all we really need! "Remember this and you remember me".
Cha'